I'm no expert on either LED's or lighting, but I know a bit, and I think you are right on both fixtures. You could always add some window screen to the second to dim it down a bit if you need to.

I also looked at the "double bright" LED fixture. But this has no timer on it it would be a pain to set it to lunar every night. I thought about getting that and then adding a secondary light source for the night lighting but the cost is almost as much as the plant-capable led system with a timer on it. I'm pretty sure that has a lunar mode as well.

Window screen isn't a bad idea. I have tons of sun shade screen that cuts 80% of light out could place it over every 2nd or 3rd led

I know of people who have successfully used the Marineland "double-bright" LED systems in planted tanks up to about 60 gals. So it certainly can be effective lighting in a 29 gal.

One thing I am wondering- why do you want the lunar nighttime lighting? If you want the LED, they can provide adequate daytime light.

I also would suggest not getting a hood with a built-in light for a second reason: If you should want to raise the lights higher up from the surface of the water, that is not an option with hoods with built-in lights. I like the separate light fixtures because they give you more options for controlling your lighting. Now, granted, the hood with built-in light that you posted has such a low level of light, it is unlikely you would ever need to raise it to decrease your light intensity, but I am just pointing out one of the disadvantages of that style of light fixture.

Oh, and welcome to TPT! Stick around, read lots on the forums, and before long, you will be answering questions too.

Also, good job on doing your research BEFORE setting up the tank. That's the best way to save money, because you don't buy something, try it, and realize you don't like it. Look around on the forum- there is lots of great information here.

I know of people who have successfully used the Marineland "double-bright" LED systems in planted tanks up to about 60 gals. So it certainly can be effective lighting in a 29 gal.

One thing I am wondering- why do you want the lunar nighttime lighting? If you want the LED, they can provide adequate daytime light.

I also would suggest not getting a hood with a built-in light for a second reason: If you should want to raise the lights higher up from the surface of the water, that is not an option with hoods with built-in lights. I like the separate light fixtures because they give you more options for controlling your lighting. Now, granted, the hood with built-in light that you posted has such a low level of light, it is unlikely you would ever need to raise it to decrease your light intensity, but I am just pointing out one of the disadvantages of that style of light fixture.

I have the lunar light feature on my 10 gallon. And it's awesome at night.

So it's something that I would want to bring to a larger tank. The double bright led system is still an option for me. But I would have the light on a timer and this would completely turn the unit off and make the night mode unusable. So buying 2 of the accent lights to keep in a permanent night function pushes the cost to near the price of the plant capable system and I wouldn't have to buy a timer or have extra cords running from the tank.

Amazon has the reef version of light for under 200 bucks. Hopefully they will get the plant version soon. As it should be even cheaper

im considering going with the reef light as it seems to be 40 bucks cheaper then the plant version. anyone use it with good luck on a planted tank? or should i just shell the extra for the plant version?

i figure i can just cut down the hours of the light being on to make up for the amount of light the plants will get.

im considering going with the reef light as it seems to be 40 bucks cheaper then the plant version. Anyone use it with good luck on a planted tank? Or should i just shell the extra for the plant version?

I figure i can just cut down the hours of the light being on to make up for the amount of light the plants will get.

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